n If you are a big man with a receptive mind, look this over. If not give it to a subordinate who is after your job.

I N C O R P O R A T E D U N D E R T H E L A W S OF T H E STATE OF P E N N S Y L V A N I A

COMMERCIAL TRUCK COMPANY OF AMERICA M A N U F A C T U R E R S O F

E L E C T R I C C O M M E R C I A L V E H I C L E S

R. W. MEIRS - PRESIDENT

E. 3 . HARE - VICE-PRESIDENT

9 . S. GARWOOD - SECY. & TREAS.

F . E . W H I T N E Y GENERAL MANAGER

E. R. WHITNEY • CHIEF ENGINEER

2 7 T H A N D B R O W N S T R E E T S

CABLE ADDRESS

CEETEECO

P H I L A D E L P H I A , To -day

MR. CENTRAL STATION MAN,

EVERYWHERE.

Dear Sir:

Your directors and stockholders expect a

man of your calibre to reduce cost and increase

profit in every possible way. This booklet

shows briefly how you may trim and inspect

your arc lamps and install your poles with

maximum rapidity and economy, at the same time

setting an example which will result in the

sale of more current during "off-peak" hours.

Very truly yours,

COMMERCIAL TRUCK COMPANY OP AMERICA

By < H -Vice-President.

2oo3.frol>

The Inefficient and Costly Way Slow and therefore expensive. Two men required.

This is a poor advertisement for electricity. The use of electric vehicles by the merchants of your city means a greater source of revenue to your company than that derived from vast quantities of curling irons, etc.

These lamps are inspected by a man on a motor cycle who reports defective lamps to the trimmer, who with driver then remedies them.

Awkward position makes quick and accurate work difficult.

• > - .

The Efficient and Economical Way Economy of time. Only one man necessary.

The car may be operated from upper or lower seat by the trimmer, therefore an extra man is not necessary, and one man, through greater speed, better control and ability to do more accurate work, covers more territory than is possible with horses and two men.

On inspection work one man with vehicle acts as inspector and trimmer, and any defect is remedied on the spot without delay.

Every facility for quick and accurate work.

The Inefficient and Costly Way

Four horses to eat their heads off in the stable.

Six men, to handle the loading and unloading. Slow in transit.

The Efficient and Economical Way

Time saved. Labor and maintenance costs reduced.

Two men, with Cp electric vehicle and motor-driven winch, handle the loading and unloading in minimum time.

Quicker transit is obtained, and an effective advertisement for electricity and electric trucks, which are the best consumers of your off-peak load.

Electric Pole Trucks and Trimmers' Wagons The following are extracts from issues of "Current News," published by

The Philadelphia Electric Company

The Electric Pole Truck

That the electric truck may be adapted to a great variety of uses is a well-established fact, but it has re­mained for The Philadelphia Electric Company to be the first to utilize this type of truck for the purpose of haul­ing poles. The new truck was designed and built by the Commercial Truck Company, of Philadelphia, at the sug­gestion of A. H. Manwaring, and while it has just been put in service, there is every reason to believe that the economies to be effected in time and labor over the horse-drawn vehicle will justify the further adoption of this type of truck for hauling poles.

The distribution of wooden poles has always been one of the most troublesome problems confronting the Transportation Department of this Company. This has become more serious in the last few years, owing to the rapid increase in the use of excessively high poles, due to the extension of high-tension transmission lines, which neces­sitates the placing of such wires over the wires of all other com­panies, and over railroad cross­ings at a clearance not less than 30 feet above the rails. It has been the practice of this Com­pany to distribute such poles by the use of horse-drawn trucks, the rear wheels of which are rigid, and for this reason turns must necessarily be made with a very large radius.

Some of the poles used in our work are 90 feet long, and are very difficult to handle in congested sections of the city. In making turns consideration must not only be given to the length of the poles, but also the space occupied by two or more horses in tandem—sometimes the length of the street occupied by the loaded vehicle and horses is as much as 130 feet.

For a number of years the construction of an electric truck has been under consideration, which would embody the following advantages: The space occupied by the loaded truck to be limited to the length of the poles this to be accomplished by allowing the poles to overhang at both the front and rear ends; a truck that would turn in a comparatively small circle; a truck that would cover more ground at a greater speed than a horse-drawn vehicle; a truck so constructed as to permit of the load­ing and unloading of poles by electric power. All of these

advantages are embodied in the new truck, cuts of which are shown on another page.

The devising of a satisfactory method of steering such a long vehicle proved to be quite a problem. It would be a simple matter to control the front and rear wheels from the driver's position, but under such conditions the front and rear wheels would turn in opposite directions. This would not be satisfactory in a pole truck, because of the fact that poles are unloaded at the curb line, and in get­ting away from the curb, while the front wheels would leave, the rear wheels would run into the curb. The

control of the rear wheels by an upright standard and an additional steering wheel was also impracticable, for the reason that this arrangement would prohibit the loading and unload­ing of the poles from either side of the truck. All these difficul-t ies have been overcome in the present design, which provides for the steering of the rear wheels from the side of the truck, so arranged that it can be locked when the wheels are in a neutral position. This en­ables the truck to be controlled entirely by the front steering mechanism, the rear steer being used only when short turns are necessary.

On account of the greater weight on the front wheels when

Khc truck is running empty the brakes were made to operate the front wheels, as well as the rear wheels, in order to eliminate any tendency to skid.

The loading and unloading of poles is accomplished by an electric winch located in the center of the truck. This winch is wired so that it can be controlled from switches under the seat or from either side of the truck at the motor, and when in operation the control of the truck itself is cut out. By this winch it is possible to place poles in any position on the truck and even when the truck is partially loaded, additional poles can be placed at the to]) of the pile. This is particularly advantageous, inasmuch as it is only necessary to detail two men (a driver and a helper) with the truck when loading or un­loading poles, which can be done much more rapidly than has been practicable with four men heretofore. This undoubtedly is one of the most important features in connection with the new truck.

The truck itself is of 6 tons' capacity, and weighs, when unloaded, about 12,000 pounds. The division of

Manwaring

6

the unloaded weight is 60 per cent, on the front wheels, or 7,200 pounds, and 40 per cent, on the rear wheels, or 4,800 pounds. Calculations have been made, showing the positions to be occupied by the various lengths of poles on the truck, in order that the load will be equally distributed between the front and rear wheels.

The truck is operated by four-motor drive, which is necessary in order to provide proper traction for such a long wheel base. The batteries (42-cell, 21-plate, M. V. Exide) are located in a compartment under the bed of the truck in front of the center. A compartment to the rear of the center is utilized for carrying tools, such as cant hooks, jacks, short skids, rope, etc.

A number of interesting features of the truck are as follows: The weight of the steel used in its construction is 5,750 pounds; the weight of the rubber in the tires is 1,750 pounds; the length over all is 31 feet 6 inches; the wheel base, 20 feet. With the rear wheels locked in the neutral position the truck will turn in a radius of 40 feet. By using both front and rear steering wheels the truck will turn in a radius of 18 feet. The truck has a mileage capacity of approximately 30 miles at full load. I ts speed is approximately 7 miles per hour on the level a t full load. The 4-motor drive will enable the truck to navigate through almost any condition cf roadway, and on trial it successfully carried a full load up a 9 per cent. grade.

The new truck has also a decided advertising value. The name of this company is conspicuously displayed as well as the company's motto, "If It Isn't Electric I t Isn ' t Modern." The truck attracts considerable atten­tion and wherever it stops a crowd collects, not only the idle curious but usually the progressive type of business man. Innumerable questions have been asked regarding its operation, and without a doubt it has done more to attract the general public to the use of electric vehicles than any vehicles placed on the street, since the electric tower wagon for trimming arc lamps.

The Electric Vehicle as Applied to the Trimming and Inspection of Arc Lamps

Within the past few years the art of street illumination has undergone a marked degree of development, as exem­plified in the lighting of the central section of the City of Philadelphia.

In the earlier methods of street lighting the arc lamps were suspended on wooden poles, stepped with ordinary drive stops, and the current was supplied from overhead wires. This, of course, was particularly objectionable on the principal streets in the heart of the city, and eventu­ally cable was installed in some of the streets and the lamps hung from iron poles on 15-foot mast-arms. In the present system the sesthetic has been primarily con­sidered, and the twin arc lamp pole has been adopted as the standard for ornamental street lighting. On these poles the lamps are fed from underground cables and are suspended at a height of 18 feet from the curb. The design of the poles is such that steps are entirely elimi­

nated. The number of lamps has been greatly increased on the principal streets, and it is safe to assert tha t Philadelphia has the best and most artistically lighted central section of any city in the country.

The trimming of these lamps proved to be quite a problem. As a temporary makeshift, a 24-foot 2-section ladder was set on a quadrant, placed in the body of an ordinary express-type wagon, and so arranged that the ladder could be swung to either side, or made to assume an upright position. This arrangement answered the pur­pose, but the expense of operation was too great, as it necessitated the services of a horse and driver, in addi­tion to the trimmer.

The design and construction of an electric tower-wagon was then considered, but the main difficulty was to devise a plan to obviate the necessity of having an extra man to do the trimming, as otherwise the driver would be com­pelled to climb to the top of the tower to trim each pair of lamps. At the suggestion of A. H. Manwaring, en­gineer of arc lighting, of The Philadelphia Electric Com­pany, a tower-wagon was designed that could be operated from either the upper platform or the driver's ordinary position at the floor level, and equipped with a turntable at the top to enable the operator to trim the lamps on both the street and house sides of the poles. The Com­mercial Truck Company, of Philadelphia, collaborated with Mr. Manwaring.

The tower-wagon is constructed on the ordinary C. T. 1,000-pound chassis, the weight of which, wit hout the tower, and including the battery, is 3,200 pounds. The weight of the tower is 650 pounds, making a total weight of 3,850 pounds. The vehicle is equipped with a 42-cell, 11-plate storage battery, which will furnish an average speed of 15 miles per hour on the level, and has a mileage capacity of a t least 40 miles per charge. The wheels are equipped with 23^-inch by 36-inch tires front, and rear 3-inch by 36-inch. The controller is mounted on the upper platform, and can be operated from either the upper or lower seat by a tube outside the steering shaft. The reversing mechanism is a Z-slot bushing keyed on the controller tube, which is worked from the upper seat by the foot and from the lower seat by the hand. The Steering gear is mounted in the usual manner and is worked from the upper or lower seal by a shaft which runs through the controller. The brakes can be worked from the lower seat by a foot lever in the usual manner, and from the upper seat, by a foot-lever rod and bell crank. The upper foot lever has an extension so that the operator can set the brakes from the top seat, climb down and release the brakes from the lower seat, or vice versa. The electric bell is operated from either the upper or lower seat by a floor push in the toeboard. The platform is 14 feet from the ground, and an additional height, can be secured by hanging a portable stand from the side rails, which will increase the height to either 1 1 feet 6 inches or 16 feet, depending on which rail is used.

The tower-wagon has been giving very satisfactory service, and enables the trimmer to cover each of his routes in approximately 6 hours, while by the old method 9 hours were required to accomplish the same results.

m&£

*^

4 l '̂ B

| ^ > r ^

• . - ' ~ «

H i ' . .

" ^ ^

£»i ^^TT->

^i^is^s-^1

Formerly, the inspection of these lamps necessitated the stationing of a horse-drawn wagon and driver at a centrally located point, and also the use of a motorcycle, the operator of which covered the district lighted by the ornamental lamps in about 4 hours. He reported all faulty lamps to the driver, who would proceed to the various locations with the team and start or change the defective lamps.

The tower-wagon eliminated the necessity for the horse-drawn wagon and motorcycle, as by its use all the lamps on ornamental poles are inspected in approximately 23^ hours, and faulty lamps started or changed by the oper­ator, who carries a number of lamps for this purpose on the tower-wagon.

This new method of trimming and inspecting the orna­mental lamps shows a daily saving in the cost of trans­portation and labor of approximately 33J^ per cent, over the former method of using the horse-drawn wagon and motorcycle, and in addition to this, the tower-wagon has a decided advertising value, as it attracts a great deal of at t ent ion on the streets. On one side of the body has been painted "Use Electric Light," and on the other side "Use Electric Power."

* * * The last problem encountered was to provide for the trimming, patroling and changing of the lamps which are to be rigidly supported from the elevated structure, thus eliminating the unsightly ropes and open wiring neces­sary for lamps suspended from movable fixtures or mast-arms. A number of difficulties presented themselves in the solution of this problem, as in order to keep the lamps in line they will vary in height from 15 feet to 25 feet above the ground—this is due to the uneven grade of Market Street and the variation in the height of the elevated structure at different points along the route.

Our original type of tower-wagon would not be suitable for the purpose, as it was designed for the trimming and

patroling of lamps at a height not exceeding 18 feet or 20 feet above the ground, and the platform could not be raised or lowered to meet the varying heights of the lamps under the elevated structure.

At the suggestion of A. H. Manwaring, engineer of arc lighting of The Philadelphia Electric Company, an ad­justable type of tower-wagon was designed by the Com­mercial Truck Company, of Philadelphia. This wagon has an elevator extension to the tower, by means of which the platform can be raised 6 feet, when desired, to a maximum height of 20 feet above the ground. This is accomplished by an electric motor attached to a screw-shaft, the operation of which is controlled from the plat­form at the top of the tower.

The new tower-wagon is constructed on the ordinary 1,000-pound chassis, the weight of which, without the tower and including the battery, is 3,200 pounds. The weight of the tower, etc., is 1,200 pounds, making a total weight, of 4,400 pounds. The vehicle is equipped with a 42-cell, 11-plate storage battery, which will furnish an average speed of 15 miles per hour on the level, and has a mileage capacity of at least 35 miles per charge. The wheels are equipped with 23^-inch by 36-inch tires in the front, and 3-inch by 36-inch tires in the rear. The con­troller is mounted on the toeboard, and can be operated from either the upper or lower seat by a tube outside the steering shaft. The reversing mechanism is a Z-slot bushing, keyed on the controller tube, which is worked from the upper seat by the foot, and from the lower seat by the hand. The steering gear is mounted in the usual manner, and is worked from the upper or lower seat by a shaft which runs through the controller. The brakes can be worked from the lower seat by a foot lever in the usual manner, and from the upper seat by a foot-lever rod and bell crank. The upper foot lever has an exten­sion, so that the operator can set the brakes from the top seat, climb down and release them from the lower seat, or vice versa. The electric bell is operated from either the upper or lower seat by a floor push in the toeboard. The platform is 14 feet from the ground with the bridge in its lowest position, and 20 feet from the ground with the bridge in its highest position. An addi ­tional height can be secured by hanging a portable stand from the side rails, which will increase the height to either 21 feet or 22 feet 6 inches, depending on which rail is used.

The new type of tower-wagon will not only be of service in trimming and patroling the lamps attached to the elevated structure, but it can also be used for this purpose in any section of the city, as the maximum height of lamps on poles does not exceed 22 feet above the ground. The machine has been tested under the most severe conditions.

*The Philadelphia Electric Company has three of the stationary tower-wagons, and one with the elevator equip­ment in service at the present time, and orders have been placed with the Commercial Truck Company for two additional wagons of the elevator type.

* NOTE : Now have three stationary tower wagons and five with elevator equipment.

Lamp Trimmer's Wagon

THE TOWER is mounted on our standard 1,000-lb. chassis. The height of the platform is

13 feet 6 inches from the ground, and additional heights up to 14 feet or 15 feet 6 inches

can be obtained by hanging a portable stand on the rails of the upper platform. The upper plat­

form is mounted on a turntable at the top of the tower and can readily be swung to either side and

locked in place by a pin.

The truck can be operated from either the upper or lower seat. The controller is mounted on

the upper platform and operated by means of a tube outside the steering shaft. The steering gear

is mounted in the usual manner and operated by a shaft which runs through the controller tube.

The brakes are operated from the lower seat by a foot lever in the usual manner or from the

upper seat by a foot lever rod and bell crank. The upper foot lever has an extension so that the

operator can set the brakes from the top seat, climb down and release the brakes by the hand

lever from the lower seat, or vice versa. A cut-out switch in the battery circuit is located at each

seat to prevent anyone from starting the truck while the driver is attending to the lamps.

Lamp Trimmer's Wagon with Elevating Tower

THIS type of truck is similar to the stationary type except that the tower can be elevated above its normal position. Normally the platform in its down position is 14 feet from the ground

and can be elevated to any desired height up to 20 feet.

The elevating mechanism consists of a standard automobile type series wound motor connected

through a friction coupling to a long screw. The motor is located at the foot of the tower and the

screw is suspended from the top of the tower by a ball thrust bearing. The elevating part of the

tower runs up and down in guides supported by the stationary tower. The screw drives the ele­

vating tower by means of a nut which fits over the screw and is located at the lower end of the ele­

vating part. In operation the tower is lifted from its lower end and keeps the screw in tension at

all times, thus eliminating any tendency for it to buckle.

The power for elevating the tower is taken from the truck battery.

The control is operated from the floor of the turntable platform and the current to the motor

automatically cut off as the tower approaches the upper or lower limits. There is also a positive

stop for the tower at either position which prevents the tower from running beyond its proper limits,

and the friction coupling prevents the motor from driving the tower beyond these limits.

The turntable and other features are the same as those in the stationary type.

In operation the driver stops at the lamps, swings the turntable to the desired position and starts the elevating motor with his foot to the desired height.

9

Prominent Central Stations Use Electrics

Commercial Truck Company of America, 27th and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Sirs :—We have in service many vehicles, and we take pleasure in stating that we find our electric vehicles more reliable and economical than horse-drawn or of other motive power.

Yours very truly,

THE PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY,

By A. H. Manwaring.

Commercial Truck Company of America, 27th and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Sirs :—Replying to your recent query re­garding service we are getting out of your trucks, I am pleased to say that we are entirely satisfied with their performance as is evidenced by our regular repeat orders.

Yours very truly, THE AMERICAN GAS COMPANY,

S. P. Curtis, General Manager.

Write us for booklet—" What (D Users Say

10

CJ £ o £ u 0

V. 3 «J >>

v 3 0

v. 0

C: CO V

*«3 CJ • » « * -C

Ctf »

3 0

t l

3 v. g. 0

< :

0 • < 3 «0 J". CM CO 3

V. 3 0

^ 0

<w 3 CD CJ

a

v.

o

3 cu 5

• »»* bfl

3 *c

•v CO

.a 5

**-

B 0

•»»i <*«l

^ t * 3

CO 3

0

3 0

«•«*

CO 0

a 3

•*»«

v . 3

"3 3 3

• CO

cu "8 0

• V J

3 CJ

8-v. CO

3

SPECIFICATIONS

Lamp Trimmer's W a g o n

Speed: 15 miles per hour.

Mileage: 40 to 60, depending on battery equipment.

Battery : Improved lead type or Edison, capacity to suit service requirements.

Motor : G. E. 22-ampere, 85-volt, where lead battery is used.

Motor: G. E . 32-ampere, 60-volt, where Edison battery is used.

Gear ing: Single reduction worm driving gear, bevel gear differential, floating shaft drive to wheels. All completely enclosed and running in oil.

Bearings: Taper Roller.

Controller: Continuous Torque Type at base of steering column.

Control : Three points forward, two reverse.

Ti res : 2 ^ " x 36" front, 3 " x 36" rear.

Brakes: Internal expanding. NOTE.—Towers may be used in connection with our cars of greater capacity if desired. We

build in capacities ranging from 500 pounds to 7 tons. Specifications of same will be furnished on request.

Capacity:

Speed :

Mileage:

Bat te ry :

Motors :

Gearing:

Bearings:

Controller:

Control :

Brakes :

Tires :

Wheel Base :

Turning Radius:

Turning Radius:

Steer ing:

Equipment:

Skids :

Winch

6-ton Pole Truck 4-motor—4-wheel drive

12,000 pounds.

6.5 miles per hour.

25 to 40, depending on battery equipment.

42 cells, improved lead type, or 60 cells, Edison. Capacity to suit service requirements.

Four G. E. 16-ampere, 85-volt, for lead bat tery; four G. E. 22-ampere, 60-volt, for Edison battery.

Double reduction spur gearing, enclosed.

Taper Roller.

Continuous Torque Type at base of steering column.

Four points forward; two points reverse.

External contracting, wood faced on four wheels.

5 " x 36" dual, front and rear.

20 feet.

Front wheels, steering only, 50 feet outside wheel.

Four wheels, steering, 24 feet outside wheel.

Rear wheels are steered independently from the front wheels, and for normal operation may be locked in a straight position.

Full set of tools. Two cant hooks; 75 feet of 1-inch rope; 15-foot chain, j^-inch links, with hook and ring.

Two skids are provided, the ends fitting into the ends of the bolsters on the truck. These are 4-inch 1 beams: one of them, 12 feet long, for the large end of the pole, the other, 10 feet long, for the small end of the pole. Cone-head rivets are provided along the top flange of I beams to prevent poles from slipping.

Two short skids are also provided, which are used in dropping the poles so that they will fall clear of the wheels.

A motor-driven winch is provided at the center of the truck for pulling up poles.

The motor is \% H. P., with large overload capacity, connected to a "nigger head" through our standard concentric type of gearing. The motor is a standard series wound automobile type, identical with each of the truck motors, but provided with a shunt field winding on one-pole piece to prevent the motor from "running away" when running idle. The motor is controlled from the driver's seat or from either side of the truck at the winch.

The head is 7 ^ inches wide and takes Q}4 turns of 1-inch rope. An idle pulley is provided at each side of the truck so that the rope can be led from the winch to either pulley and the pole pulled up from either side.

The rope speed when pulling up a pole is about 110 feet per minute.

12